are the non ic cars worth it?

[usetaboost]

i've been looking for a 86/87 tr for about 6 months now and every car i find nobody gets back to me. i don't know if its because i live way out in sioux city, iowa or if it's because i can't afford to spend more than 4500. anyway, if somebody does stay in contact with me someday and i buy my second tr( my first one was a 79 sc 4bbl turbo 1500!) would it be worth it to purchase a hot air? IF I was to get an intercooler kit is it worth the hassle and cash? are they just as responsive as the ic caars? can the blocks stand a basic buildup? don't want to buy something if i think it's a good deal and then be disappointed. thanks for the response guys and hey, SOMEBODY FIND ME A TR, NOT RUNNING, RUNNING, BAD TRANNY, NEEDS WORK, WHATEVER. JUST NO ROLLERS!

 

[85 ttypewh1]

For 4500 you can get a running hot air, i bought mine for 2800. Runs great just has 200k miles but in solid shape. i dont think you can touch a 86-87 car in decent shape for 4500. if you find a 86-87 for that it will need alot of work. It is all about what you want to do to the car in the long run. My opinion is if you are going to mod it like new inj, turbo, i/c. then why buy a 86-87 just to take that stuff off and replace it. There are more parts for the i/c cars and they hold their value better, but it is up to you on what you want.

 

[buickpower]

Yes, the 14 bolt blocks are pretty stout. As far as hotairs being responsive, they are, especially to things like exhaust upgrades, but of course they start out at a deficit to the intercooled cars. It really depends what your goals are. I'd say the bulk of people who put intercoolers on them gain quite noticeable results. Since it is a large volume to add to a draw-through turbo setup (instead of the blow through pressurized throttle body on the IC cars), some have had problems with idling, etc., but others have had no problems and say that it's all in the tuning. The hotairs can run, and fast, it just usually takes a bit more to attain the higher power goals.

 

[usetaboost]

another question i just thought of- is the 109 block a direct swap? if i got a 109 block out of a na car would i be able to swap the crank out of the aspirated motor and use the same rods or are the 109s completely different?

 

[usetaboost]

oh yeah, thanks for the replies. it helps to talk to somebody about a turbo regal that has actually had one and knows the potential of these cars. i'm sick of listening to people saying they are junk and "theres no replacement for displacement!"

 

[BRAD_PADGETT]

It all depends on how fast you want to go and how much money you want to spend. The 86/87 setup allows you more options to go fast quicker than the 84/85 Hot airs. I personally went for the hot air(85GN) because the price was right and the body and interior was great. Keep in mind that Buick only made 8102 Regal TTYPE FOR 84/84. The label Grand National is only exterior option. Buick made over 25,000 of the 86/87 TTYPE and they are alot more common and easier to upgrade. Brad

 

[buickpower]

Crank and rods are the same for both blocks. The 14 bolt oil pan blocks may be stronger than you think. See this thread 14 bolt block. The later 20 bolt oil pan blocks for the IC cars, ( which some of the late run 85 blocks also had) are somewhat similar in design except for a few things. See the following thread: block differences. Pictorial differences are available on gnttype.org too, so check this out: here

 

[usetaboost]

i just emailed this guy AGAIN for some pics and more information on an 85 gn. its his friends, he says it won't start and smells gassy. needs new rockers and has some rust on one door. hopefully this guy gets back to me and don't blow me off like the other 10 people have. i got some money, why doesn't anyone wanna deal? he lives in michigan. i told him i will give what he wants if he can help get the car here. sounds fair, doesn't it?

 

[buickpower]

well whatever you do, just don't buy anything sight unseen or without hearing it run, etc. Take your time and don't jump into buying anything that looks like a money pit or a basket case. I learned that the hard way. Body work is pricey....

 

[usetaboost]

don't worry i don't think i would ever puchase a roller beings it would cost too much to piece it back together. as far as buying something that don't run the cost would have to reflect it and would have to look decent enough for me to drive it and my wife to look at it when she parks in the garage. she's not too fond of my past projects/ like the pile of crap 86 camaro i swapped the 350 in and got sick of dumping money into it. i had 4k in the car it still looked like a train wreck and ran like one too. i sold my 79 carbed tr to build a motor for that car. i've learned my lesson-DOH!

 

[Jerryl]

Look at the sig of this member: Mike70gtx
D**** I should have bought his car!!

 

[jhef83]

I found my 85 GN on a used car lot last october. I walked away from it once but I'm glad I went back. Solid straight body,running with major exhaust leaks,Floors rusted out from bad weather stripping, interior trashed,windshield cracked,etc. I fixed the exhaust which got the turbo working and fell instantly in love with the car. I could care less that an IC cars faster. These cars are special. you'll know that as soon as you drive one. I've replaced alot of the interior [Ebay]. I was planning on starting on the body this summer but nylon timing gear lost a few teeth and went through the engine, so the motors out for a rebuild. Purchase price was $1000. but I traded an 87 Chevy pickup for it. I probably had $2500 In the truck but I have no regrets, it only got 11 mpg anyway.

 

[usetaboost]

i found an 85 gn in michigan but the guy hasn't gotten back to me yet and its been three days. yet another person that says their gonna sell and don't get back to me, makes me kinda pissed. oh well, anyway he wants 1500 for it and needs rockers and a patch on one of the doors. well serviced, 20000 on rb motor, 2nd owner, 89,000 miles. i hope he does get back to me i want it. i got the money and a guy to pick it up and bring it back to sioux city, ia. well anyway thanks for the replies, support, and any info on these cars. i can't wait to get back into one and be able to start modding and killin the local poopstains (mustangs)! i'll post and let you guys know as soon as i get one. i'll even get some pics up too. hopefully it will be soon. - THANKS

 

[6 to go]

It is a pretty easy swap to put an IC on a hot air car
using an 86/87 intake, modifed 86/87 throttle body,
and use a stock IC and some other IC parts like
throttle cable, fan, etc. Shouldn't cost a lot either.
If you want to see pics, email me and put "hot air IC
setup" in the subject.